COLUMBIANA, Ohio – The Columbiana Progress Committee implemented its two most significant projects to date in 2021, according to Mayor Rick Noel.
With the cooperation of the Columbiana High School entrepreneurship class, it converted Mulberry Alley into a recreation area.
The second project was the development of a nonprofit agency, the Columbiana Cultural Collective, to purchase and operate the Main Street Theatre as an educational and cultural venue.
The Progress Committee is a think tank to develop ideas to improve the city of Columbiana, says member Tom Mackall.
The committee focuses on three areas:
• Maintaining and growing downtown vibrancy.
• Establishing connections with youth.
• Maximizing future economic development by supporting entrepreneurial opportunities.
The committee, established in 2017, has no budget, no organizational structure and no officers. Members comprise David Barbee, Bryan Blakeman, Amanda Frost, Rick Fryda, Mary Ann Green, Mark LaMoncha, Skip Liston, Mackall, Noel and Lance Willard.